Garment with integrated holder and method of use

ABSTRACT

A garment with integrated holder and method of use is characterized by a garment that provides for one or more straps, pouches, or integrated elements that enable a user to carry the garment, as well as one or more methods of folding, gathering, rolling, stowing, donning, or packing the garment. In some embodiments, one or more straps and fastening means may be used in releasable attachment with one or more drawstrings, creating loops that can be used as carrying elements. In other embodiments, the present invention may be rolled into an integrated carrying pouch that provides for one or more drawstrings that, when tightened, create loops that can be used as carrying elements. The present invention allows a user to store and carry a garment when the garment is not in use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates generally to enhanced garments and, more particularly, to a garment with an integrated holder or holding means and a method for using the same.

BACKGROUND

Many people find themselves wanting to take off or put on a layer of clothing at different points in a day. This could be because the ambient temperature has changed, or because the person feels warmer or colder based on an activity. In such circumstances, if the person felt cold they might want to put on a layer of clothing, or if they felt warm they might want to take off a layer of clothing.

Managing an extra layer of clothing can be an inconvenience. For example, if a person anticipates being cold, they may have to carry around a sweatshirt until they need it, or if they feel warm throughout the day they may take the sweatshirt off and then have to carry it.

Carrying a sweatshirt throughout the day is problematic. One issue is the effort required: one or two hands are required to carry it, which can impede a user's ability to accomplish tasks. Or, leaving the sweatshirt somewhere while a user goes about her business can lead to the sweatshirt being lost, damaged, or stolen. Even if the person were to tie the sweatshirt around her neck or waist, the sweatshirt can still fall off or can impede the user's movement and/or become a safety hazard.

Some attempts have been made to solve this problem. U.S. Pat. No. 1,702,143 which is incorporated herein entirety by reference, relates to a combination raincoat and carrying bag. Its pouch doubles as a hood and the user may roll up the garment, stuff it in the hood-pouch, and zip the item shut. Unfortunately, this disclosure has a number of drawbacks such as its zipper enclosure element, which can jam or injure fingers. This disclosure fails to provide for a hidden pouch or a hands-free carrying design.

Another attempt to solve this problem can be observed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,971,198 which is incorporated herein entirety by reference. This disclosure also relates to a combination raincoat and carrying bag. Its pouch also doubles as a hood that allows a user to fold the garment up and stuff it in the hood-pouch. And, though this disclosure does provide for a string element to tighten the pouch, this disclosure still suffers from a lack of a hidden pouch and a hands-free carrying design.

A third attempt to solve this problem can be observed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,155 which is incorporated herein entirety by reference. This disclosure relates to an outerwear item that has a bag portion on its exposed backside. Although this disclosure provides for a string element as its enclosure method, and although this disclosure can be worn as a backpack, this disclosure also suffers from a lack of a hidden pouch.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0055991 A1, which is incorporated herein entirety by reference, discloses another attempt to solve this problem. This disclosure relates to a hooded sweatshirt that can be rearranged into the shape of a purse. Similar to other devices, its pouch doubles as a hood and the user may roll up the garment, stuff it in the hood-pouch, and zip the item shut. And, although this disclosure does provide for a backpack or other hands-free carrying option, this disclosure still fails to provide for a hidden pouch or integrated holding means. Additionally, this disclosure requires extensive use of straps, buckles, and zippers in a cumbersome conversion process.

Hence, none of these in existence comprise beneficial characteristics described in the following disclosure. Thus, there remains a need for a garment that may be rolled or folded and stored in the pouch and worn as an accessory via integrated string elements, and a method of using the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a garment with an integrated holder and a method for using the same. It is contemplated that the present invention may provide an easy and secure way to wear, store, or transport one or more garments.

For purposes of summarizing, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention are provided herein. It is to be understood that not all such aspects, advantages, or novel features may be provided in any one particular embodiment. Thus, the disclosed subject matter may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one aspect, advantage, or novel feature or group of features without achieving all aspects, advantages, or novel features as may be taught or suggested.

In one embodiment, the present invention may provide for a sweatshirt with hood (a “hoodie”) having a drawstring with two ends that passes through the hood, the ends of which are capable of being grasped by a user. The present invention may further provide for two straps, one end of each of which may be attached to the back of the hoodie's inside collar area at the hoodie's neckline. The straps may be approximately 6 to 12 inches apart from each other, spaced relatively evenly from the back of the hoodie's inside collar area at the hoodie's neckline. Each strap may be approximately 6-14 inches in length, and each strap's unattached end may provide for an approximately paperclip-sized buckle element. The interior of the hood may be lined with a material having stretch properties.

With respect to a method of use pertaining to the presently-described embodiment, a user may first, if the hoodie has a zipper, zip up the hoodie. Then, a user may fold the hoodie's sleeves onto the hoodie's backside portion, keeping the sleeves straight and placing each sleeve's wrist area close to the bottom of the hoodie. The user may then roll the hoodie from the bottom towards the hood. Once the hoodie has been rolled to the hood's edge, a user may flip the hood inside out and wrap the hood around the rolled portion, thereby enveloping the rolled portion with the hood, creating a contained pouch-like configuration. The user may then pull out each strap, and pull on the two ends of the drawstring until the drawstring's two ends are sufficiently exposed. The user may then thread one end of the drawstring through the first opening in one strap's buckle element, then thread the end of the drawstring through the other opening in the buckle element, creating a releasable attachment between the drawstring end and the buckle element. The user may replicate this action with the other drawstring end and the other buckle element. Once each pair of attachments has been secured, the user may wear the present invention like a backpack by passing an arm through each drawstring-end and strap pairing. In certain embodiments, the present invention's pouch-like configuration may provide for extra room wherein a user may place items. In alternate configurations, it is contemplated that a user may attach one end of the drawstring to an opposite buckle element, creating a crisscross configuration that may be suitable for wearing the present invention around a user's waist.

In another embodiment, the present invention may provide for a sweatshirt having a pouch sewn into the interior of the sweatshirt on the sweatshirt's lower-back portion. The pouch may provide for an opening in its upper side, and may also provide for a drawstring sewn into the pouch having two exposed portions, each of which may be accessible in the pouch's interior. The pouch may be comprised of a material having stretch properties.

With respect to a method of using the presently-described embodiment, a user may first fold the sweatshirt's sleeves onto the sweatshirt's back portion, keeping the sleeves straight and placing each sleeve's wrist area close to the bottom-center of the sweatshirt, and may fold each side of the sweatshirt in approximately two inches. The user may then roll the sweatshirt from the top towards the bottom. Once the sweatshirt has been rolled to the sweatshirt's lower edge, a user may flip the sweatshirt's lower portion inside out and wrap the pouch around the rolled portion. In doing so, the pouch may be turned inside out, and this action may allow the drawstring's exposed portions to be freely accessible to the user. The user may then pull on each exposed portion of the drawstring, creating two large loops. The user may then wear the present invention like a backpack by passing an arm through each exposed portion of the drawstrings. In certain embodiments, the present invention's pouch may provide for extra room wherein a user may place items.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention may provide for a sweatshirt or a hoodie having a hand pocket on its exterior. The present invention may provide for a pouch sewn into the lining of the hand pocket. The pouch may also provide for a drawstring sewn into the pouch having two exposed portions, each of which may be accessible in the pouch's interior. The pouch may be comprised of a material having stretch properties.

With respect to a method of using the presently-described embodiment, a user may fold, roll, or stuff the sweatshirt or hoodie towards the hand pocket. When the folded, rolled, or stuffed portion of the sweatshirt or hoodie is sufficiently close to the hand pocket, the user may turn the hand pocket inside out, exposing the pouch and enveloping the pouch around the folded, rolled, or stuffed portion of the sweatshirt or hoodie. This action may allow the drawstring's exposed portions to be freely accessible to the user. The user may then pull on each exposed portion of the drawstring, creating two large loops. The user may then wear the present invention like a backpack by passing an arm through each exposed portion of the drawstrings. In certain embodiments, the present invention's pouch may provide for extra room wherein a user may place items.

It is contemplated that in certain embodiments, the drawstring-end-and-buckle configuration may be replaced by the drawstring-within-the-pouch configuration. In some embodiments, the drawstring-within-the-pouch configuration may be replaced by the drawstring-end-and-buckle configuration. In some embodiments, both the drawstring-end-and-buckle and the drawstring-within-the-pouch configurations may be provided by the present invention.

In some embodiments, the strap may be removably attached to the hoodie, such as by way of illustration and not of limitation, by means of a clasp, snap, hook and loop, or other removable attachment element.

One or more of the above-disclosed embodiments, in addition to certain alternatives, are provided in further detail below with reference to the attached figures. The disclosed subject matter is not, however, limited to any particular embodiment disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying figures where:

FIG. 1 shows a front planar view of an embodiment of a garment having strap elements in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary method that may be used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows several alternate embodiments of an element of a garment having strap elements in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a front planar view of an embodiment of a garment having an integrated pouch in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method that may be used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a front planar view of an embodiment of a garment having a pouch integrated within a hand pocket in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary method that may be used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by providing a garment with an integrated holder and a method for rolling the same into a wearable accessory.

All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown in these Figures are not necessarily to scale. As will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, the actual dimensions and proportions of any embodiment or element of an embodiment disclosed in this disclosure will be determined by its intended use.

It is to be understood that the drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate potential embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” is intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. In addition, the first digit of each reference number indicates the figure where the element first appears.

As used in this disclosure, except where the context requires otherwise, the term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising”, “comprises” and “comprised” are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

In the following description, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific detail. Well known feature, elements or techniques may not be shown in detail in order not to obscure the embodiments.

Various embodiments provide a garment with an integrated holder and a method for using the same. One embodiment of the present invention provides a garment with one or more integrated holders. In another embodiment, there is provided a method for using the garment.

With respect to FIG. 1, a front planar view of an embodiment of a garment having strap elements in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment depicted, the present invention may comprise a hoodie 100 having sleeves 101 and 102, a hood 103 having an interior material 104, drawstring ends 105 and 106, and zipper 107. FIG. 1 also discloses straps 108 and 109, each having buckle elements 110 and 111.

Continuing with FIG. 1, it is contemplated that in certain embodiments, the front of hoodie 100 may be of a one-piece construction, having either no zipper 107, or a zipper 107 that does not entirely bisect hoodie 100. It is further contemplated that the front of hoodie 100 may provide for hand pockets, or other elements known in the art to be common to hoodies or sweatshirts, such as by way of illustration and not of limitation, designs, cutouts, raised elements stitched or otherwise affixed to the garment's surface, more or different pockets, or other compatible elements.

Continuing with FIG. 1, it is contemplated that in alternate embodiments, instead of a hoodie 100, the present invention may comprise a raincoat, cape, a hooded crop-top, a hooded t-shirt, or any other hooded garment. It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments straps 108 and 109 may comprise leather, string, neoprene, or any material capable of implementation by the present invention. It is further contemplated that buckle elements 110 and 111 may comprise metal, plastic, or any material capable of implementation by the present invention. It is further contemplated that interior material 104 may possess stretch properties. It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments, zipper 107 may be replaced by a series of buttons, hook and loop elements, or any design or functional element capable of implementation by the present invention. It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments, sleeves 101 and 102 may be short-sleeves, three-quarter sleeves, any other length of sleeve, or may be absent.

With respect to FIG. 2, an exemplary method that may be used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a user may first zip up hoodie 100 using zipper 107. A user may then fold sleeves 101 and 102 over the center of the backside portion of hoodie 100 in the manner shown, wherein sleeves 101 and 102 are positioned at a downward angle and kept straight. A user may then roll hoodie 100 from the bottom towards hood 103 creating a rolled portion 201. A user may then fold hood 103 back over rolled portion 201, enveloping rolled portion 201 and exposing interior material 104. A user may then pull out straps 108 and 109 from under rolled portion 201 and may pull on drawstring ends 105 and 106, tightening interior material 104 around rolled portion 201. The user may then insert drawstring end 105 in and through buckle element 110, and may also insert drawstring end 106 in and through buckle element 111, thereby creating two contiguous loops 205 and 206 through which a user may insert her arms, thereby wearing the present invention.

Continuing with FIG. 2, it is contemplated that in certain configurations, a user may insert drawstring end 105 in and through buckle element 111, and may also insert drawstring end 106 in and through buckle element 110, thereby creating different set of contiguous loops.

With respect to FIG. 3, several alternate embodiments of an element of a garment having strap elements in accordance with one embodiment of the invention are shown. In the embodiments depicted, various configurations of buckle elements 110 and 111 are shown. In one embodiment, buckle element 301 provides for an approximately rectangular shape having an opening 302 and a slideable closing element 303 configured to slide through opening 302 and removably secure into place. In the embodiment depicted, a user may insert a drawstring end 304, which in some embodiments may be drawstring ends 105 or 106, through opening 302. When drawstring end 304 has been inserted to the appropriate length, a user may cause slideable closing element 303 to slide into opening 302 and removably secure into place, trapping drawstring end 304 in place.

It is contemplated that in certain embodiments buckle element 301 may be circular, triangular, or any suitable shape, that slideable closing element 303 may be circular, triangular, or any suitable shape, and that opening 302 may be circular, triangular, or any suitable shape. In certain embodiments, the shapes of buckle element 301, slideable closing element 303, and opening 302 may match one another, or any one or more such elements may be of a different shape than any one or more such elements.

Continuing with FIG. 3, alternate buckle element 305 provides for an approximately keyhole shape having a first opening 306 and a second opening 307. In the embodiment depicted, a user may insert a drawstring end 304, which in some embodiments may be drawstring ends 105 or 106, through first opening 306 and then through second opening 307. When drawstring end 304 has been inserted to the appropriate length, a user may pull drawstring 304 tight against alternate buckle element 305, trapping drawstring end 304 in place.

It is contemplated that in certain embodiments alternate buckle element 301 may be circular, triangular, or any suitable shape, that first opening 306 and may be circular, triangular, or any suitable shape, and that second opening 307 may be circular, triangular, or any suitable shape. In certain embodiments, the shapes of first opening 306 and second opening 307 may match one another, or may not match one another. It is further contemplated that in other embodiments, alternate buckle element 301 may provide for one opening, or three or more openings.

Continuing with FIG. 3, second alternate buckle element 310 provides for an approximately u-shaped cutout 311 having teeth 312. In the embodiment depicted, a user may insert a drawstring end 304, which in some embodiments may be drawstring ends 105 or 106, through u-shaped cutout 311. When drawstring end 304 has been inserted to the appropriate length, a user may pull drawstring 304 tight against u-shaped cutout 311, creating friction between teeth 312 and drawstring end 304, trapping drawstring end 304 in place.

It is contemplated that in certain embodiments, u-shaped cutout 311 may be another suitable shape, and that teeth 312 may be longer or shorter, or of different design, than teeth 312 as shown. It is further contemplated that in other embodiments, the present invention may provide for more than one u-shaped cutout 311 element within second alternate buckle element 310.

With respect to FIG. 4 a front planar view of an embodiment of a garment having an integrated pouch in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, the present invention may comprise a sweatshirt 400 having sleeves 401 and 402, a pouch 403 having an interior material 404 and an opening 407, as well as drawstrings 405 and 406.

With respect to FIG. 5, an exemplary method that may be used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a user may flip sweatshirt 400 onto its front, exposing its backside. A user may then fold sleeves 401 and 402 over the center of the backside portion of sweatshirt 400 in the manner shown, wherein sleeves 401 and 402 are positioned at a downward angle and kept straight. A user may then roll sweatshirt 400 from the top towards the bottom, creating a rolled portion 501. A user may then fold pouch 403 back over rolled portion 501, enveloping rolled portion 201 and exposing interior material 404 as well as drawstrings 405 and 406. A user may then pull on drawstrings 405 and 406, tightening interior material 404 around rolled portion 501 creating two loops 505 and 506 through which a user may insert her arms, thereby wearing the present invention.

With respect to FIG. 6, a front planar view of an embodiment of a garment having a pouch integrated within a hand pocket in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment depicted, the present invention may comprise a hoodie 600 having a zipper 604, hand pocket area 601, and an integrated pouch 603.

With respect to FIG. 7, an exemplary method that may be used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a user may first zip up hoodie 600 using zipper 604. A user may then sequentially stuff portions of hoodie 600 into integrated pouch 603 via an internal opening (not shown) creating a stuffed portion of hoodie 704. Once the remainder of hoodie 600 is stuffed into pouch 603, a user may pull on drawstrings 705 and 706, tightening pouch 603 around stuffed hoodie portion 600 and creating two loops 708 and 709 through which a user may insert her arms, thereby wearing the present invention.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Although the present invention has been described with a degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example and that other versions are possible. As various changes could be made in the above description without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be illustrative and not used in a limiting sense. The spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained in this disclosure.

All features disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstracts, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or process disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means” for performing a specified function or “step” for performing a specified function should not be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112.

While the garment and method of using the same has been disclosed in connection with a number of embodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications should be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A garment comprising: a torso portion having an inner side, an outer side, a front side, a back side, and an inner side neckline; a hood fixedly attached to the torso portion, the hood having an inner side and an outer side; and two straps, each of the straps having a first end and a second end, wherein each of the first ends is attached to the inner side of the torso portion, and each of the second ends is attached to a fastening element.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein each of the first ends is fixedly attached to the inner side neckline.
 3. The garment of claim 1, wherein each of the first ends is removably attached to the inner side neckline.
 4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the fastening element is keyhole-shaped having two openings, and wherein said fastening element is configured to receive and secure a drawstring end.
 5. The garment of 1, wherein the garment is a hoodie having two sleeves.
 6. The garment of claim 5, wherein the hoodie's front side further comprises a right side and a left side, wherein said right side and said left side are joined by a zipper.
 7. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a pouch having an interior portion, wherein the pouch is fixedly attached to the inner side of the torso portion, the pouch having an integrated drawstring.
 8. The garment of claim 7, wherein the integrated drawstring includes two portions exposed within the interior of the pouch.
 9. The garment of claim 1, further comprising: a hand pocket fixedly attached to the outer side of the torso portion, the hand pocket having an inside portion; and a pouch fixedly attached to the inside portion of the hand pocket.
 10. A method of using a garment, comprising the steps of: providing a garment having an inner side, an outer side, a front portion, a back portion, a bottom side, an upper side, a neckline circumnavigating said upper side; providing a hood attached to the upper side of the back portion at the neckline; providing a drawstring running through the hood, the drawstring having a first exposed end and a second exposed end; and providing a plurality of straps, each strap having a fixed end and a free end, wherein each of the fixed ends is attached to the inner side of the back portion proximal to the neckline and each of the free ends is attached to a fastening element.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of; rolling the garment from the bottom of the garment to the base of the hood to create a rolled portion of the garment, wherein the rolling is done in a manner causing the rolled portion of the garment to accumulate on the back portion of the garment; removing the free ends of the straps from the inner side of the garment; inverting the hood and causing the hood to envelop the rolled portion of the garment; pulling on the exposed ends of the drawstring, and causing the drawstring to tighten over the rolled portion of the garment; inserting the first exposed end into a first fastening element and pulling on the first exposed end, creating a removable connection between the drawstring and the first fastening element, thereby creating a first loop; inserting the second exposed end into a second fastening element and pulling on the second exposed end, creating a removable connection between the drawstring and the second fastening element, thereby creating a second loop; and carrying the garment via said first loop and said second loop.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: providing a pouch fixedly attached to the inner side of the back portion, the pouch having an inner portion and a drawstring having two exposed portions; rolling the garment from the upper side of the garment to the bottom side of the garment to create a rolled portion of the garment, the rolling causing the rolled portion of the garment to accumulate on the back portion of the garment; inverting the pouch causing the pouch to envelop the rolled portion of the garment; pulling on the exposed ends of the drawstring, causing the drawstring to tighten over the rolled portion of the garment, creating a first loop and a second loop, and; carrying the garment via the first loop and the second loop.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: providing a hand pocket fixedly attached to the outer side of the torso portion, the hand pocket having an inside portion; providing a pouch fixedly attached to the inside portion of the hand pocket, the pouch having an inner portion and a drawstring having two exposed portions; inverting the pouch and inserting the garment into the pouch, thereby causing the pouch to envelop the remainder of the garment; pulling on the exposed ends of the drawstring, causing the drawstring to tighten over the remainder of the garment, creating a first loop and a second loop, and; carrying the garment via the first loop and the second loop. 